December 20th, 2006 | By Administrator

Young Jeezy’s sophomore album, The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102, debuted at the top spot on the Billboard Top 200, selling over 350,000 units in its first week.

“This album is a step up, but its still so Jeezy,” the Georgia rapper told AllHipHop.com. “It feels so good. It feels bigger and better. When people speak from their heart, its a different kind of music.”

The album’s success was fueled by a strong grassroots approach as well as commercial single, “I Luv It.” According to his label Def Jam records, the song has entered the Top 10 on the R&B charts and has a successful run in the video market.

The Inspiration is the the follow up to Let?s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, , the controversial multi-platinum CD. Jeezy’s second single will be ?Go Getta? featuring R. Kelly.

In related news, Ghostface’s More Fish, which was released the same day as The Inspiration opened at No. 71 on the charts, pushing about 36,000 units. Fishscale , the rapper’s other Def Jam album of 2006, debuted at No. 4 and sold over 110,000 CD’s.

December 19th, 2006 | By Administrator

With a multi-platinum selling album under his belt, two Grammy nominations and an MTV Video Music Award for his hit single “Ridin Dirty,” Chamillionaire planning a big year in 2007.

He’s finishing off 2006 with a bang by offering his new mixtape, Mixtape Messiah 2, free for download on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), on his newly-launched website Chamillionaire.com

The mixtape, the follow-up to Cham’s notable 2004 release Mixtape Messiah, will serve as a prelude for his upcoming album titled Ultimate Victory, which will be released in stores March 27th, 2007.

“Some people say it supports downloading because I’m giving it to people free on the website,” Chamillionaire told AllHipHop.com. “I’m just feeding the audience some music that they haven’t been fed in a long time, and showing them that I appreciate them. I don’t want them to think that I’m bigger than them, because some rappers get too big and don’t wanna do the mixtape thing because they’re too fly.

The album will also feature production by Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, Cool & Dre, and more.

“That’s why I’m trying to bring a lot of concepts to the album. It’s very conceptual and has a lot of creativity on it,” Chamillionaire said.

In addition to releasing a new album in 2007, the Houston-bred rapper will also release a DVD with exclusive footage depicting his rise to fame, from his concerts, to taking trips to the mall.

“It’ll have footage from a show where I’m performing and all the people in the crowd are saying my underground stuff,” the rapper said. “You know, I’ve got a lot of fans who have Chamillionaire tattoos, and people who have “Ridin’ Dirty” tattooed across their toes and crazy stuff like that. It’s like, fans don’t get to see the whole experience, so I’m gonna show them the hard work.

Chamillionaire, known for his entrepreneurial spirit, also plans to form a model agency in his hometown and build on a car customizing business called Fly Rydes he got into three years ago with his close friend, “Big Ernest.”

The modeling company, called Masterpiece Mind Frame is his way of giving back to those who have things to offer, he says, but don’t know how to get there.

“I’ll go out and see people and everybody wants to make money, and I’ll meet video girls who wanna live the good life and all, but it’s like, you gotta have a plan, you know?” Chamillionaire stated. “That’s why it’s called Masterpiece Mind Frame because in the word mind frame, your MIND comes before your frame. Print modeling can turn into movies and other stuff, and you can just step all the way up the ladder. It’s like that with males and females, and if you’re trying to go somewhere, just walk up the ladder, you know, and take it to the next step.”

Chamillionaire’s right-hand man Big Ernest created the company years back, and Chamillionaire decided to collaborate with him to get “corporate money” for the business and build its clientele.

“Out here in Texas, that car thing is big. We’ll do videos and rent all kinds of cars and people will waste all kinds of money on them, and instead, they can come spend that money with me,” he says, noting that the company recently hooked up rides for David Banner and Pimp C.

December 19th, 2006 | By Administrator

As Bryan “Baby” Williams continues to grieve over the recent death of his sister Tamara Williams, the Cash Money co-founder ended a long-standing beef with B.G. over the New Orleans airwaves.

During a recent interview on radio station Q93 with Wild Wayne, B.G. called in to offer his condolences to Baby and the Williams family.

Although they have been at odds since B.G.?s departure from the label in 2001, the two were able to put aside their differences in the wake of car accident that took the life of Baby’s sister, Tamara Williams.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry despite what you and me been through,” B.G. relayed to Baby. “I knew Tamara personally, we grew up together, we go back. I just wanted you to know that my heart go out to you and the whole Williams family.”

While B.G. has repeatedly alleged that Baby has cheated him out of album royalties, he told Baby, “I’m not on your side like I used to be, but for something like this to happen, I can still feel like your pain?I feel like I’m right there with you.”

In response, Baby stated that he “respected that,” and that he would “put everything on the side for that.”

The reconciliation comes on the heels of the fatal car accident, which claimed the life of Baby?s sister Tamara Williams, 26, who was killed in the head-on collision.

Williams, who majored in psychology and was studying for a nursing degree, died when her 2006 Toyota Camry was struck by a motorist who was driving the wrong direction on a downtown boulevard.

She leaves behind a husband and three children.

The driver, Jason Williams, is still in critical condition at Charity Trauma Center.

December 15th, 2006 | By Administrator

In an effort to boost the Christmas spirit of Miami?s underprivileged youth, Trick Daddy recently announced that he will hold his annual Christmas toy drive for the two weekends leading up to the Christmas holiday.

For the fourth year, Trick Daddy will celebrate the holiday season by giving back and distributing food and gifts to Miami youth thru his Trick Luvs Da Kids Foundation.

Pitbull and Mobile Mike are scheduled to assist Trick in hosting both events, as well as providing entertainment to those in attendance.

The Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic recording artist has also partnered with KB Toys to invite the retail chain?s customers throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and West Palm Beach, to purchase a gift card to be donated to the Foundation.

In addition to the Christmas Toy Drive, Trick Daddy has challenged the Boys and Girls Clubs in New York, Florida and Atlanta to identify teen members who have gone beyond the call of duty to organize some type of community efforts for Christmas.

Sponsored by Trick Luvs DA Kids Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs, SNS/Atlantic Records, It’s Cool To Be Smart, Inc., and BET, the winner of the contest will receive a variety of gifts and prizes, including a $1000 contribution to their local Boys and Girls Club for a youth scholarship.

In related news, Trick Daddy is gearing up for his 7th studio album release, Back By Thug Demand, which arrives in stores on December 19.

The new disc features appearances from Baby, 8Ball, Jaheim, The Dunk Ryders, Trey Songz, Trina and Young Buck.

Trick Daddy will also make a special appearance on BET?s 106 & Park December 18 to announce the grand prize winner of his Christmas Toy Drive contest and to discuss his new album.

December 15th, 2006 | By Administrator

Rapper Pastor Troy was arrested early this morning (Dec. 15) for an alleged probation violation.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Pastor Troy, born Micah Levar Troy, was conducting an interview with on Hot 107.9 when someone called the police and alerted officials that he was wanted in Fayette County.

Police confirmed the warrant and went to the Hot 107.9 studios around 9:00 am, where Troy, 29, was detained and arrested.

A spokeswoman for the Fayette Sheriff’s office said that the Atlanta bred rapper is currently on probation for having no insurance and driving with a suspended license, but could not offer details about the reason behind today’s arrest.

December 13th, 2006 | By Administrator

Parents will get a little relief during the holidays, courtesy of Lil Boosie.

The Trill Entertainment/Asylum Records emcee is working in conjunction with radio stations to provide child care for listeners who send in stories explaining why they need help with their own little “bad azzes.”

Lil Boosie will provide winners with child care tuition as well as a pampers care package and a copy of his new CD Bad Azz.

The good cheer is his way of giving back to his community during this time of the year, according to Lil Boosie.

“It’s hard on parents and I should know,” he said. “I got three of my own. Got to give..from one bad azz to another.”

Powered by the hit Yung Joc-featured single “Zoom,” Bad Azz features Boosie collaborating with notable rhymesayers, including Pimp C. and Webbie.

The video for “Zoom” has received heavy rotation on BET’s Rap City while currently maintaining residence on the network’s 106 & Park countdown.

The album’s success is also bolstered by the Bad Azz DVD, which hit stores in mid-September.

The DVD chronicles Lil Boosie’s life as hit highlight’s the 23-year-old rapper’s childhood,the death of his father, his battle with diabetes and his rise to stardom.

December 11th, 2006 | By Administrator

New Orleans native B.G. will introduce The Chopper City Boyz’ debut album We Got This on his Chopper City Records imprint this February.

B.G. has helped The Chopper City Boyz (Sniper, Hakim aka Hakizzle, VL Mike and Gar) develop a following by featuring the group on four of his last studio albums that were released through his Chopper City imprint, which is marketed and distributed by KOCH Records.

“After being in the game for 12 years, I’m introducing my new group,” B.G. said in a statement. “The Chopper City Boyz are the next step in the Chopper City movement. Since the breakup of my super group, The Hot Boyz, there’s been a lack of talented real Hip-Hop groups from the South. The Chopper City Boyz are gonna change all that.”

The first single from the album is “Make Em Mad,” which features The Chopper City Boyz and B.G. The single was produced by Mississippi producer and rapper, David Banner.

“I’m the s**t on the boards and this is the first part of my take over [on production],” David Banner told AllHipHop.com of the single. “I’m sick of playing!”

As a member of Cash Money Records’ group The Hot Boyz, B.G. helped usher in a new Southern sound in Hip-Hop along with former group members Lil’ Wayne, Juvenile and Turk, who is serving 10 years behind bars for weapons charges stemming from a Jan. 2004 shootout with Memphis SWAT Team members.

During his stint as a member of The Hot Boyz, B.G. was featured on critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums like Get It How U Live (1997), Guerrilla Warfare (1999) and Let ‘Em Burn (2003).

As a solo artist, B.G. had a massive hit with the single “Bling Bling,” which was taken from his 1997 album Chopper City in the Ghetto. The term, which is slang for expensive jewelry, eventually made its way into the Oxford English Dictionary and Websters dictionary.

We Got This hits stores February 27th 2007. Below is the album’s tracklisting:(more…)

December 11th, 2006 | By Administrator

Atlanta-based Big Cat Records is ending 2006 on a high note, after signing a seven figure deal with Atlantic Records for Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane.

Atlantic’s track record of developing the careers of artists proved to be the catalyst for Big Cat owner Marlon “Big Cat” Rowe to make the deal official.

“We’re excited about the deal with Gucci Mane and Atlantic Records,” said Big Cat Records President Mel Breeden. “Major distribution will help artists who are really out there trying to tour. We have sold a great amount of albums with Gucci Mane, but Atlantic will create a bigger demand that will ultimately affect records sells as a whole.”

Gucci Mane, born Radric David, is best known for his hit single “Icy.”

The track, which features former friend-turned-foe Young Jeezy, stayed on the singles charts for almost eight weeks and helped the rapper’s album Trap House sell more than 130,000 copies when it was released in May 2005.

The placement of the single on Trap House sparked a deadly feud between Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy, who also wanted the single for his album Thug Motivation: Let’s Get It.

Gucci Mane Gucci Mane, born Radric David, was charged with the murder of Henry ?Pookie Loc? Clark III, after Clark and four other men burst into a house and attempted to rob and assault him in May of 2005.

Clark was shot and his body was found a short time later. In December of 2005, prosecutors dropped the murder charges against Gucci Mane, citing a lack of evidence.

Gucci Mane followed up Trap House’s success this year with Hard to Kill, which was powered by the song “Go Head.”

Big Cat Records is currently developing other artists while preparing albums for its current roster, which includes Maceo and Young Snead.

Maceo’s album, Black Magic, is scheduled to hit stores in the second quarter of 2007.

December 8th, 2006 | By Administrator

After setting the streets ablaze with controversial comments about Jay-Z, The Clipse, Young Buck and Pharrell in the December/January issue of Complex magazine, Lil’ Wayne recently called in to DJ Absolut’s Hot 97 show in an attempt to temper his words.

During the 7-minute interview, Weezy addresses comments he made to Complex about Jay-Z.

?I don?t like what he?s saying about how he had to come back because Hip-Hop?s dead and we need him. It?s not your house anymore, and I?m better than you,” Lil’ Wayne told the magazine.

When asked to explain, Lil Wayne explained that he didn’t like the concept that Jay-Z’s comeback album was built upon the notion that Hip-Hop is dead.

?I think I speak for everybody when I say it?s not dead as long as I?m still dropping albums,? Lil’ Wayne told DJ Absolut.

Wayne also disclosed that some of the comments stem from the brief courtship between him and Roc-A-Fella last year when he his weighing his label re-signing options.

?I want people to just look at it like that dude who came out of college that was supposed to get drafted by the #1 team, which was Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam,? stated Wayne. ?They passed on me and now I with a good team and a good coach and of course on every interview I?m gonna cut down the team that didn?t pick me.

Lil’ Wayne also stuck to his position that he is a better rapper than Jay-Z.

“I’m better than this game,” Lil’ Wayne declared. “We could be having this conversation about any other person in this game. It was who I was asked about at this time. Yall trying to build a case on me. But I tell you what. If you build a case against me and take me to trial, I will beat it.”

In addition to Jay Z, Wayne also had choice words for The Clipse and Pharrell saying, ?”I don?t see no f?ing Clipse. How many years them n? been around? Who the f? is Pharrell? Do you really respect him??

Upon hearing his comments, The Clipse took to the airwaves in WWHV Hot 102.1 FM in Virginia to respond to an already tense situation.

?Wayne, you sort of copying The Clipse right now,? Pusha T told DJ Derrick Da Franchise. ?I think he made a bad judgment call and just decided to take a swipe at us?maybe he?s got an album coming out. This is a small thing to a giant, he?s just acting out.?

“If anything, I am upset about him using the F word before my name, being as though he likes to sit around and kiss men. If you gonna kiss men, you can’t even use them words in conjunction with The Clipse, Pharrell, or any of the [Star Trak ] family. He’s definitely acting out right now. Jay-Z? Do what you gotta do. But involve The Clipse? You don’t want to do that. I already don’t look at him like a G. He aint nothing like me.”

December 8th, 2006 | By Administrator

Rapper Andre “3000” Benjamin continues his foray into the world of film with a new basketball comedy titled Semi-Pro.

Benjamin joins an all-star cast that includes Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson. Semi-Pro, which is being produced by New Line Cinema, centers around a fictional 1970’s American Basketball League Association (ABA) team, the Flint Michigan Tropics.

As the owner/coach/player, Ferrell’s character Jackie Moon attempts to lead The Tropics to the big time.

Semi-Pro is being directed by newcomer Kent Alterman and was written by Scot Armstrong, who is credited with crafting some of Ferrell’s biggest hit movies, including Old School, Starsky & Hutch and the upcoming sequel to Old School, Old School Dos.

Last month, Benjamin debuted his new animated series Class of 3000 on The Cartoon Network. The lighthearted cartoon focuses on a superstar music teacher’s relationship with his students at a performing performing arts school in Atlanta.

Semi-Pro is slated for a theatrical release in 2008.

Andre 3000 remains active in the rap world as well, as a guest artist on a remix to Unk’s hit single “Walk It Out,” which also features Jim Jones.